Applications must be received on or before Friday, August 26th.
The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten (full production with orchestra), sung in English.
The Schwabacher Summer Concert (staged scenes program with orchestra) - All voice types considered for this program. Repertoire will be chosen to showcase participating artists.
Song Recital - a concert showcasing a vast array of repertoire chosen to showcase participating singers and pianists.
The Merola Grand Finale (concert with full orchestra) - concert featuring all Merola singers on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House
Repertoire subject to change.
The Merola Opera Program, under the artistic direction of the San Francisco Opera Center, offers performance, training, and career development opportunities for young professional singers, coach/pianists, and stage directors.
Under master coach supervision, pianist/coaches will accompany and coach promising singers for Merola productions and perform assistant conductor duties, e.g., keyboard in the orchestra, backstage and assistant conducting. All singers and pianists will have the opportunity to audition on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House for San Francisco Opera's General Director, Music Director, and Managing Director: Artistic. In addition, internationally renowned artists conduct a series of public master classes. Pianists receive individual musical coaching, diction coachings, and instruction in movement, financial planning/fiscal responsibility, mental health/wellness, physical health/well-being, and public relations/branding from leading professionals in the opera field.
The Merola Opera Program seeks pianist/coaches with a sound piano technique and some experience in opera coaching.
For further information, please visit: https://merola.org.
(Resident Artists of San Francisco Opera)
Each year singers and pianists are chosen from the Merola Opera Program to join the prestigious Adler Fellowship Program. The Adler program gives 10-12 young artists a year a performance-oriented experience, providing individualized and advanced training. Adler Fellow pianists will be considered for music staff positions in San Francisco Opera’s season, as well as performing in Opera Center programs and activities. The Adler Fellowship is a renewable yearlong residency and is a salaried position with benefits.
San Francisco Opera Center may engage Merola singers and pianists for a debut recital to take place in the spring of 2023 at a San Francisco venue. These recitals have been endowed in perpetuity by the generosity of celebrated Bay Area singer, scholar, and teacher James Schwabacher. Merola participants interested in being considered for a Schwabacher Debut Recital will have the opportunity to audition during the summer program.
All applicants chosen for an in-person audition will require "Proof of Covid 19 Vaccination" and photo ID.
No application fee is required.
There is no age limit to apply.
Applicants chosen for an in-person audition will be notified approximately 3 weeks before their audition date.
Photo ID and proof of COVID vaccination will be required for all in-person auditions.
Pianist/coach applicants granted an audition must choose ONE option from EACH of the following five categories. All selections are to be PLAYED AND SUNG by the applicant. Sight Reading will be included in the audition.
EITHER the Act 1 finale from Così fan tutte OR the Act 2 finale from Le nozze di Figaro
A brief secco recitative from a Mozart opera
Tarquinius' Ride from The Rape of Lucretia by Britten
An aria or scene from an opera by Puccini or Richard Strauss
One aria from a Bel Canto opera
One art song
Please note: Merola Opera Program does not permit audition swapping. If you are unable to attend your assigned audition, please contact auditions@merola.org for assistance.
A weekly stipend is provided.
The Merola Opera Program provides a weekly stipend, round-trip transportation from place of residence to San Francisco, and shared-accommodation housing. Please note: the Merola Opera Program only provides housing to participants and does not provide housing to spouse/partner, children, other relatives, or pets.
For five years after leaving Merola, alumni may be eligible, with Merola's approval, to receive up to a total of $12,000 in career grants, with a maximum of $6,000 in any single year.
San Francisco, CA USA
